There were always alternatives and sub cultures. In previous centuries these existed mainly in other countries. Today the impression is that a) the sub cultures have disappeared, b) the other countries cultures have merged into one. You question "As opposed to when" is a good one - we compare everything with now - and we can say that now things appear to be larger in scale. Yes, for those within the culture, culture is monolithic to them - to look at Culture from outside you can see it's bigger and more encompassing. I think that's what the quote was about.
In the article, the idea most interesting to me was about how traditional "high" culture (books, plays, opera) are still considered elitist when it's the mass culture of celebrities which comprise the elites. It was a passing idea and I'd like to hear more about that.
In the article, the idea most interesting to me was about how traditional "high" culture (books, plays, opera) are still considered elitist when it's the mass culture of celebrities which comprise the elites. It was a passing idea and I'd like to hear more about that.